Crime
Shooting at Maine Mall Leaves One Injured, Search for Juvenile Suspect Ongoing
South Portland, Maine — Law enforcement agencies are actively investigating a shooting incident that occurred at the Maine Mall in South Portland, leaving one person injured and prompting an extensive search for the suspected juvenile shooter.
According to the South Portland Police Department (SPPD), officers responded to reports of gunfire inside the mall during the afternoon hours.
Authorities have described the incident as “isolated,” with no indication of an ongoing threat to the wider public.
Preliminary information from tactical command indicates that the shooting took place inside a mall restroom, where the victim was shot at least three times.
Witnesses reported hearing at least four gunshots.
The victim was transported to Maine Medical Center, though their condition remains unknown at this time.
A massive law enforcement response is underway, involving city, state, and county agencies, along with the FBI’s SWAT teams and K-9 units. Officers are actively searching both inside the mall and the surrounding perimeter for the suspect.
The FBI’s tactical teams are preparing to conduct a comprehensive sweep of the mall’s exterior as part of the ongoing operation.
Authorities are urging the public to avoid the Maine Mall area while the investigation and search continue.
No additional injuries have been reported.
Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact the South Portland Police Department immediately.
Crime
Venezuelan national Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis shot in the leg by an immigration agent in Minneapolis
On January 14, 2025, federal law enforcement personnel were engaged in a targeted enforcement operation involving Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan national who has been present in the United States since 2022.
The operation escalated into a high-speed pursuit, a physical confrontation, and an ambush by multiple subjects, necessitating the use of a defensive firearm discharge by a federal agent.
At approximately 6:50 PM, federal officers initiated a targeted traffic stop of a vehicle operated by Sosa-Celis.
The subject refused to comply with law enforcement commands and attempted to flee the scene.
During the pursuit, the subject’s vehicle collided with a stationary, parked car.
Following the collision, the subject abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene on foot.
A federal agent pursued the suspect on foot and successfully intercepted him. As the agent attempted to effect an arrest, the subject became combative, resulting in a violent struggle on the ground.
During this confrontation, two additional male subjects emerged from a nearby residence to intervene.
These individuals reportedly ambushed the agent, utilizing a snow shovel and a broom handle to strike the officer.
The situation escalated when the primary suspect, Sosa-Celis, regained his footing and joined the two additional subjects in the assault.
Reports indicate the suspect struck the agent with a blunt object (identified as either the shovel or broom handle).
Citing an immediate threat to his life while being outnumbered and actively assaulted by three individuals, the agent discharged his service weapon in self-defense.
The discharge struck Sosa-Celis in the lower extremity (leg). Following the shot, all three suspects retreated into a nearby apartment complex and initiated a barricade situation.
Following a brief standoff, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) successfully secured the perimeter and apprehended all three individuals without further injury.
Both the federal agent and Sosa-Celis were transported to a local medical facility for treatment.
Images from the scene showed Sosa-Celis conscious and alert during transport.
All three subjects involved in the assault are currently in the custody of ICE.
Further charges related to the assault on a federal officer and resisting arrest are pending review by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.